Honeycomb core fabricating machine



J. D. LINCOLN 2,636,540 HONEYCOMB CORE FABRICATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l A -IN VENTOR. JO/Z/z fllazcoiiz, BY 1 April 28, 1953 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 Ap 2 8, 1953 J. D. LINCOLN ,HONEYCOMB coma FABRICATING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 INVENTOR. Jo/zfl/ HZUzcoZm, BY

April 28, 1953 J. D. LINCOLN 0 HONEYCOMB CORE FABRICATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR. J0/z7z Z7Z7200Zm J. D. LINCOLN HONEYCOMB CORE FABRICATING MACHINE April 28, 1953 '6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 g Mm IIYVENTOK. Jo/vzfl luzcaZ/z, BY

April 28, 1953 .1. D. LINCOLN 2,636,540

HONEYCOMB CORE FABRICATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1949 e Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

J. D. LINCOLN HONEYCOMB CORE FABRICATING MACHINE April 28, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 INVENTOR. Joizrzflfuzcp BY WM; WM

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE HONEYGOMB CORE FABRIGATING MACHINE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines and methods for automatically producing from a strip or web of thin flexible sheet ma terial a relatively thick, rigid honeycomb structure in continuous ribbon-like form.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a machine and method for progressively fabricating a strip or web of relatively thin sheetlike material, such as kraft paper, into a relatively thick rigid honeycomb structure which may be used for numerous purposes, for example, core structures for building panels, doors and similar elements.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a machine and method for fabricating honeycomb core structures wherein a continuously moving web of paper-like material is provided with longitudinal lines of adhesive in alternate transversely spaced relation on opposite sides, the web is successively foldedor pleated in accordion fashion along longitudinally spaced transversely extending crease lines and simultaneously therewith formed into a relatively thick compacted ribbon which is characterized by transversely extending strips of uniform width, the adjacent strips being positioned in alternate face-tc-face relation and connected along the top and bottom edges by alternate fold portions, the adhesive is set while the strips are held in compacted relation, the fold portions along the top and bottom surfaces of the ribbon are removed to form a honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure is expanded, the expanded honeycomb is impregnated with a rigidifying material and finally the rigidifying material is set while the honeycomb is held in expanded condition.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine for forming honeycomb of the character described wherein there is provided a. reciprocating pusher mechanism for intermittently engaging the web of material along longitudinally spaced transverse lines and successively forming therein double folds which are compacted to form a ribbon of material having a thickness of the depth of the folds.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide in a honeycomb forming machine a reciprocating pusher member which is arranged adjacentthe end of a compacting chamber to intermittently engage the web ofmaterial in griprelation along longitudinally spaced transverse linesand to form accordion folds in the web while at thesame time inserting the suc- 2 cessive folded portions of the web in the end of the compacting chamber.

It is another object of the invention to provide a honeycomb forming machine wherein a chamber is provided for receiving the folded material in compacted relation and a retaining means is provided at the receiving end of the chamber to retain the compacted material therein and prevent its withdrawal therefrom by retraction of the fold forming mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a honeycomb forming machine having a reciprocating mechanism for intermittently engage ing the web of material along longitudinally spaced transverse lines to form accordion-like folds therein and a cooperating mechanism op.- erable transversely of the path of travel of the web to initiate the folds in the Web.

it is another object of the invention to provide a. honeycomb forming machine having a reciprocating pusher mechanism for intermittently engaging the web of material along longitudinally spaced transverse lines to form accordion-like folds therein in combination with a blade-like mechanism which is reciprocated transversely of the path of travel of the web to initiate the folds in the web.

It is another object of the invention to provide a honeycomb forming machine having a reciprocating mechanism for intermittently engaging the web of material along longitudinally spaced transverse lines to form accordion-like folds therein in combination with a mechanism providing a blast of air along a line transversely of the path of travel of the web to initiate the folds in the web.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the methods and mechanisms which are described herein and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figs. 1 and 2 constitute a plan View of a machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;v

Figs. 3 and 4 constitute a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the fold forming portion of the machine to an enlarged scale-and with portions shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a section taken generally on thelline 6--B of Fig. 5;

Fig. F! is a side elevation of a modified fold forming mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a half section taken generally on the line 8-8 of. Fig. '7 to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a half section taken generally on the line 99 of Fig. 7 to an enlarged scale; and

Fig. is a half section taken generally on the line Ill-l5 of Fig. 7 to an enlarged scale.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, there is illustrated an improved method for fabricating from a continuous web of relatively flexible material a honeycomb core structure in ribbonlike form and an improved machine for practicing the method, the steps of the method being best understood by reference to the operation of the machine.

The illustrated machine comprises a relatively long generally rectangular base or frame I6 which is supported by depending end frames ll. At one end of the frame ill a cross shaft !2 is journaled in side frame members [3 and supports a roll of kraft paper l4 from which the honeycomb is formed. The web of paper 14 is fed from the supply roll between a pair of upper and lower feed rollers l5 and IS. The lower feed roller I6 is journaled in upstanding side frame plates IT. The upper feed roller [5 is supported in bearings l8 which are mounted on longitudinally extending bars l5 above the side plates l1. One end of each bar I9 is pivoted at 215 to a post 2i projecting upwardly near the end of the frame H3. At the other end each bar I9 is pivoted at 22 to the upper end of a. vertically extending link 23 which is pivoted at its lower end 24 to a generally horizontally extending bar 25. A compression spring 26 extends between the upper edge of the side frame plate I! and the bar member [5 above the same, the spring 26 tending to separate the feed rollers i5 and i6 and stop the feed of the web l4.

The bottom bar forms a part of a feed control and tensioning device for the web 14. It is pivoted intermediate its ends at 21 to a bracket 28 depending from the frame ID. A take-up roller 29 is rotatably mounted between the forward ends of the bars 25 and engages the upper surface of the web l4. Adjustable counterweights 30 are provided at the rearward ends of the bars 25.

The feed rollers 15 and [B are connected at one end by means of inter-engaging gears SI and the lower feed roller [6 is provided with a sprocket 32 at its other end which is connected by a chain 33 with a sprocket 34 on the one end of the lower one of a pair of upper and lower glue applying or striping rolls 35 and 35. The glue rolls 35 and 36 are connected by interengaging gears 37 at one end. The upper glue roll 35 is provided with a sprocket 31' which is connected by a drive chain 38 with a drive sprocket 39 on a motor 43 which is supported between intermediate frame rrembers 4! depending from the side frame It. The glue applying rolls 35 and 36 are provided with interrupted surfaces so that each roll applies a plurality of transversely spaced horizontally extending lines of glue on the web M. The lower roll 36, applies the glue lines to the bottom of the web l4 while the upper roll 35 applies the glue lines to the topofthe web M. The spacingarrangement of the'stripe applying elements on the rolls 35 and 3B is such that the glue lines are applied in alternate spaced relation on opposite sides of the web M. The distance between the glue lines'depends upon the desired size of the honeycomb cells.

The upper glue roll 35 is supplied with glue from a supply roller 42 which engages the fountain roller 43 in a supply fountain 44. The lower glue roll 36 is supplied with glue-from a supply roller 45 which engages a fountain roller 46 oper ating in lower fountain 41. The rollers 42, 43, and 45, 46 are journaled in upstanding side frame plates 48 which also support the fountains 44 and 17. The glue rollers 42 and 43 may be connected by a chain drive with the upper glue applying roller 35, and the glue rollers 45 and 45 may be connected by a chain drive with the lower glue applying roller 38.

The tension applying or take-up roller 39 is grooved as shown at 49 to accommodate the glue lines on the top surface of the web I4.

The web 14 passes from the take-up roller 29 over an idler roller 55 which is supported in side bearings 51 on the top of the frame If! and which is grooved as indicated at 52 to accommodate the glue lines on the bottom surface of the web l4.

From the idler roller 50 the adhesively striped web [4 passes to a mechanism for placing in the Web a continuous series of double folds which mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, particularly. The mechanism comprises a longitudinal reciprocating upper pusher plate 53 and a bottom bed plate or table 54 having a vertically reciprocatin forward portion, both of which are mounted between upwardly extending side frame plates 55.

The upper pusher plate 53 is reciprocated longitudinally of the machine by adjustable arms 56 which are connected at one end to an eccentric 5?. The eccentric 51 is journaled in side bearing members 58 on the top of the supporting plates 55. The other ends of the arms 56 are pivotally connected at 55 to upstanding bearing members B8 on the upper face of the pusher plate 53. The plate 53 reciprocates in guideways formed by the fixed portion of table 54 and upper guide rails 6! which are urged downwardly by the spring 62 mounted on pins in aligned sockets in rails 6| and upper fixed rails 63. At the forward end, the pusher plate 53 is provided with a transversely arranged knife edge blade member 65 which is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the forward or movable plate portion 64 of the table 54. The upper plate 53, table 54, including movable portion 64, and blade 65 are grooved or slotted to clear the glue lines on the web [4.

The movable lower plate portion 64 is provided with depending side flanges 66 which are guided for vertical movement by side guide rails 61 on the inside of the supporting plates 55. Cam members 68 on the depending side flanges 56 are engaged by cams 63 mounted on a transverse shaft 10 journaled in the side plates 55 and driven from the eccentric drive shaft 51 by the means of a chain H and sprockets 12, 73 on the shafts 51 and 16, respectively.

The movable bottom plate portion 64 is provided with an aperture at 74 in which a plurality of fingers i5 reciprocates. The fingers '15 are mounted on a frame having side arms l6 pivoted at H and are reciprocated by cams 18 on the cam shaft 10. The fingers 75 move into engagement with the Web l4 through the slot 14 to initiate the formation of the successive folds.

A paper hold-down member 19 is arranged on each side of the machine extending inwardly through a slot in the side plates 55 and having 2. depending operating arm 8| provided with a pin 82 which is engaged by a cam arm 83 pivoted to the side plate 55 at 84 and operated by a. cam member 85 .on a cam shaft 86 which is driven by a chain 81 and sprockets 88, 89 from the cam shaft w. The depending arm 8! is guided by spaced side guide plates 90 and is urged in a downward direction by a spring which engages the pin 82 and a crossbar 02 at the upper end of the guides 90.

The eccentric shaft which drives the cam shafts I0 and 30 is driven by chain 93 and sprockets 9t, 95 on the cam shaft 5? and the drive shaft of motor 40, respectively.

The web of material It rests on the top surface of table 54 and extends over the same to a compacting chamber 00 beyond the transverse aperture I4 a distance equal to the depth of the honeycomb material being formed. The upper pusher plate 53 is reciprocated a distance in the longitudinal direction equal to approximately twice the depth of the honeycomb formation. The bottom plate portion 04 is raised by the earns 09 a sufficient distance to bring the blade edge 65 into frictional engagement with the web It. With the lower plate portion 04 held in its uppermost position the pusher plate 53 is advanced across the aperture I4 to the end of the compacting chamber 95 carrying with it a length of the web material III- which is equal to twice the depth of the desired honeycomb and double folding the material while at the same time inserting it in the chamber 96. The central or upper fold in the length of material which is carried forward by the blade 65 is started by upward movement of the fingers I5 which is caused by operation of the cam I8. The fingers I5 are withdrawn to clear the blade 05 as it passes forwardly over the aperture "I4. Return movement or retraction of the blade 05 occurs when the bottom plate 64 is in lowered position. In this position of the bottom plate 04 the web It is out of contact with the blade t5 and is held in non-retracted relation to the plate 54 by the hold-down fingers I0 which are operated by the cams 85 and cam arms 83 in timed relation to the movement of the lower plate 64 and the upper pusher plate 53.

At the top and bottom edges of the entrance to the compacting chamber 9E inwardly extending ledge formations or catches 9? and 08 are provided to retain the compacted material in the chamber 06 and prevent its withdrawal upon return of the pusher blade 65 when the latter is moved into retracted position. The upper and lower walls of chamber 90 and the ledge formations 97, 98 may be grooved to clear the glue lines on the top and bottom edges of the folded material.

The compacting chamber 06 is provided with heaters 09 and I00 for drying the adhesive while the compacting material moves through the chamber 90 at a relatively slow rate. The heaters 09 and I00 may be arranged in the walls of the chamber 90 or outside of the same. The required heat may be provided electrically or in any other conventional manner.

A pair of knives MI and I02 are provided for trimming the top and bottom edges of the compacted material. Knives IiII and I02 may be arranged at the end of chamber 96 as shown or positioned in recesses in the top and bottom plates of the chamber 90. The knives IOI and I02 are arranged with their cutting edges in opposed relation to the movement of the material and may be adjusted to trim as much as desired from the top and bottom of the compacted material so that the material is free to be expanded in the honeycomb form as indicated at I03. The knives IOI and I02 may be vibrated horizontally across the path of, movement .of the compacted material by suitable vibrating mechanism, if desired.

As the honeycomb I03 moves beyond the knives I0! and I02 it is opened up into spread out for-, mation by increasing the rate of movement of the same or by applying a pull on the same. The increased movement of the honeycomb I03 may be accomplished by a pair of pull or feed rollers I04 and I05 arranged at the discharge end of the machine and journaled between upstanding side plate members I06. The null rollers I04 and I05 are positioned in spaced relation above and below the honeycomb material and are connected to each other by gears I07. The lower roller I05 is driven by a chain I08 and sprockets I00, IIO from the motor III which is supported on a platform H2 extending between the end frame II and an intermediate'frame H3 at the end of the machine.

As the honeycomb material I03 leaves the compacting chamber 05 or the trimming knives IIII, I02 it is opened out and fed over an idler roller II i which is journaled in side bearings II5 mounted on the frame I0. From the idler roller N4 the material is fed into an impregnating tank or pan I I0 which contains a supply of heat hardenable material such as a thermosetting resin or the like. The tank H6 is supported on the frame I0 and. is. provided with spaced rollers I II beneath which the honeycomb It3 passes to insure immersion of the same in the rigidifying bath. The impregnated material then passes over an idler roller I I8 which is journaled in side plates H9 extending upwardly of the frame I0, and continues into a heating oven I20 which is supported on the frame III. The oven I20 may be kept at the required temperature by any conventional means and is of sufiicient length to dry or set the resin in the impregnated honeycomb and rigidify the same.

As the honeycomb material I03 is fed over the idler roller II 4 and into the dipping tank H6 where it is impregnated with the rigidifying material, it is in a limp state and readily opens out due to the pull exercised on the material by the pull rollers I04 and I05 at the end of the machine. The completely formed and rigidified material is discharged from the machine by the rollers I04 and I05 at a speed which is substantially greater than the speed of the material as it leaves the compacting chamber 96 or the trimming knives I 0|, I02.

' The width of the completely formed material depends, of course, upon the width of paper which is used and the degree to which the honeycomb is stretched before it enters the dryin chamber. The material is produced in a con-.- tinuous ribbon and may be out to any desired\ length.

A modified form of mechanism for providing the successive double folds in the material is shown in Figs. 7 to 10. In this form of the mechanism (Fig. '7) the paper web I30 travels over a fixed or stationary bed or plate I31 which is supported on the frame of the machine at the proper level relative to the glue applying mechanism. The forward end I32 of bed plate I3I is spaced a substantial distance from the end of the compacting chamber indicated at I33 and a reciproeating gripper mechanism I34 is operated in the space between the end I32 of the bed I3I and the compacting chamber I33. I

The reciprooating gripper mechanism I34 comprises a bottom gripper jaw I35 and a top gripper jaw I36. The bottom gripper jaw l35 :is piv oted at I31 to abracket I38 depending from the trailing end of the gripper jaw I36. The bottom jaw I35 may beprovided with a rubber insert I39 at its forward end for engagement by the web material I30. The top gripper jaw I36 is provided with a series of teeth or serrated clamping plates I40 which are suspended in transversely spaced relation on pins MI. The pins II are supported for limited vertical sliding movement on a cross bar I62 and urged in the downward direction by springs I43.

The top gripper jaw I36 is connected by links I44 with reciprocating arms I45 which are pivoted to the gripper jaw at I56 and to the lower ends of the arms I45 at I41. The arms I45 are pivoted at I48 to fixed portions of the machine and are adapted to swing in a direction lengthwise of the machine. Each arm I45 is connected by an adjustable link I49 to an eccentric shaft I58 which extends transversely of the machine and which is journaled in the side frame plates II. The arms I45 are provided with vertical slots I52 and links I49 are pivotally connected to vertically slidable blocks I53. The position of the blocks I53 in the slots I52 is controlled by manually operated screws I54 to vary the stroke of the arms I45.

The lower jaw I35 of the gripper mechanism I34 is controlled by cam members I55 which are pivoted at one end to the frame of the machine at I56 and at the other end rest on rotatable cams I51 which are mounted on a cam shaft I58 extending transversely of the machine. The cam shaft I58 is driven from the operating power mechanism. The cam members I55 are adapted to be reciprocated vertically by rotation of the cams I51 to engage and disengage the jaws I35 and I36 in gripping relation with the web I30.

The length of stroke or movement of the gripper jaw members I35 and I36 is adjusted to approximately twice the depth desired for the compacted material in the chamber I33 so that the grippers move a length of web material I30 sufficient to form a double fold into the compacting chamber I33 at each stroke. The lower gripper jaw I35 and the rubber insert I39 are grooved as indicated at I59 (Fig. 9) to clear the glue lines on the bottom surface of the web I30. The upper gripper jaw I36 is provided with a vertical forward face or wall plate I50 for engaging that portion of the length of the material being folded which constitutes the second fold. The bottom surface of gripper jaw I36 and the front surface of the vertical plate I60 are provided with grooves indicated at I6I (Fig. 9) for clearing the glue-lines on the top surface of the web I30. The grooves I59 and I6I are staggered to correspond with the position of the glue lines on opposite sides of the web I30.

The chamber I33 is provided at its entrance with mechanism to retain the material in the chamber and prevent its withdrawal upon retraction of the gripper jaws I35 and I36. The retainer mechanism comprises upper and lower rows or stock retainer pins I62 and I63. The upper stack retainer pins E62 are secured to a crossbar I64 which is movable in guideways I65 in the side frame members I66. The supporting crossbar I64 is provided at opposite ends with depending vertical members I61 extending to cam arms I68 which arepivoted at I69 to the side framemembers I66 and which are operated by cams I on the cam-shaft I58. The cam arms I68 are forkedat the ends andstraddle shaft I58 with lower forked portions engaging compression springs I1I which are mounted on pins I12 extending upwardly from the fixed plates I13, the latter being secured to the frame of the machine. Springs I'II insure positive retraction of the retainer pins I62. The lower stack retainer pins I63 are connected to a crossbar I14 which is secured at its opposite ends to cam arms I15. The cam arms I15 are urged downwardly by compression springs I16 which engage between one end of the cam arms I15 and the bottom of the compacting chamber I33 or other fixed portion of the machine frame. The cam arms I15 engage at their other ends cams I11 on the cam shaft I58. The retainer pins I62 and I63 are movable by the cams I10 and I11 in timed relation to the gripper jaws to permit the folded material to be compacted in the chamber I33 and retained therein upon retraction of the gripper jaws I35 and I36.

The central fold in the web of material I30 which is folded upon each stroke of the grippers is initiated by a blast of air which is supplied by a transversely extending perforated tubular mem-' her or pipe I18 which is connected by a conduit I19 to a valve I controlled by a cam I8I on the cam shaft I58 and supplied with air from a supply pipe I532. The air mechanism is supported in fixed relation on brackets I03 secured to the frame of the machine.

The modified mechanism operates in the same manner as the previously described fold forming mechanism. The gripper jaws 35 and I33 engage the web of material I30 on opposite sides and carry a predetermined length of the material toward the compacting chamber I33 to double fold the same and insert it in the compacting chamber I33. The intermediate or central fold is initiated by air from the transverse pipe I18 which is supplied in timed relation to the reciprocating movement of the gripper jaws I35 and I36. As the gripper jaws I35 and I35 begin their retracting movement the cams I51 permit disengagement of the jaws I35 and I36 with the paper web I30 so that the paper is not retracted by movement of the gripper jaws.

While specific method steps and detailed mech anisms have been particularly described in order to fully illustrate applicants invention, it will be understood that variations in the method steps and in the mechanism for carrying out the same are contemplated within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for producing from a web of thin flexible material a relatively thick honeycomb structure in continuous ribbon-like form which includes in combination means for continuously feeding the web of material, means for applying longitudinal lines of adhesive in staggered transversely spaced relation on opposite faces of the material, a supporting surface over which the material is adapted to be moved, reciprocating means for intermittently gripping the Web along a transversely extending line and moving a predetermined length of the material forwardly along said supporting surface to form a double fold in the material, a drying chamber aligned with said supporting surface for receiving suc cessively folded lengths of the material as it is moved forwardly by said reciprocating means and for drying the adhesive whereby to connect the adjacent faces of the folded material at transversely spaced points along the adhesive lines, spaced trimming knives on opposite sides of the path of movement of the folded material for removing the top and bottom edges of said folded material, and means for opening up the same to form a honeycomb structure of substantially uniform thickness.

2. Apparatus for producing a relatively thick core structure which core structure is characterized by a plurality of strips of relatively thin material arranged in edgewise face-to-face interconnected honeycomb forming relation, said apparatus comprising means for feeding a web of the strip forming material continuously, means for applying longitudinal lines of glue in alternate spaced relation on opposite faces of the material, a supporting table over which the material is adapted to be moved, a pusher plate reciprocable along the surface of said table for a predetermined distance, a drying chamber aligned with said table having an entrance at the end of the path of movement of said pusher plate, means for reciprocating said pusher plate intermittently to grip said material and move successive predetermined len ths thereof into said chamher, said lengths being folded and the strips defined by the folds being brought into face-toface compacted relation in said chamber, means on opposite sides of said chamber for removin the top and bottom surfaces of the compacted material to disconnect the strips at their top and bottom edges, means to expand the resulting face-to-face interconnected strips into a honeycomb structure, and means for providing the honeycomb structure with a rigidifying substance.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 and a reciprocating member movable laterally of the path of movement of said pusher plate to engage said material and assist in forming the folds in the successive lengths thereof.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 and a perforated pine arran ed at one side of the material for directing a blast of air against the successive len ths of said material to assist in forming the folds therein.

5. A. machine for producing from a web of thin flexible material a relatively thick honeycomb structure in continuous ribbon-like form which includes in combination means for continuously feeding the web of material, means for applying longitudinal lines of adhesive in staggered transversely spaced relation on opposite faces of the material, reciprocating gripper means for intermittentlv grip ing the material on opposite faces and along successive transversely extending longitudinally spaced lines and for moving predetermined lengths thereof forwardly to double fold each length and bring the folded portions in face-to-face relation, a dryin chamber adjacent the end of the path of movement of said gripper means for receiving the successive folded portions in compacted relation and for holding the same in compacted relation until the adhesive is set to thereby connect the adiacent faces thereof at transversely spaced points along the adhesive lines, means for removing the top and bottom edges of the folded portions of the material, and means for opening up the material to form a honeycomb structure of substantially uniform thickness.

6. A machine as recited in claim 5 and said drying chamber having retainer formations at the receiving end thereof for preventing withdrawal of the folded material upon retraction of said gripper means.

7. A machine as recited in claim 5 and said drying chamber having movable retainer elements at the top and bottom sides of the receiving end thereof for retaining the folded material in the chamber during retracting movement of said gripper means.

8. A machine for producing from a web of thin flexible material a relatively thick honeycomb structure in continuous ribbon-like form which includes in combination means for continuously feeding the web of material, means for applying longitudinaI lines of adhesive in staggered transversely spaced relation on opposite faces of the material, a plate member having a supporting surface over which the material is adapted to move, reciprocating means for intermittently engaging said material along a transverse line and for moving successive predetermined lengths thereof forwardly over the supporting surface of said plate member whereby to form therein successive double folds, a heated chamber aligned with said plate member for receiving the folded material and for holding the same in compacted relation while allowing the adhesive to set to thereby connect the adjacent faces of the folds thereof at transversely spaced points along the adhesive lines, means for removing the top and bottom edges of the material, and means for opening up the material to form a honeycomb structure of substantially uniform thickness.

9. A machine as recited in claim 5 wherein the means for removing the top and bottom edges of said material comprises knives having cutting edges adjustably positioned adjacent the upper and lower walls of said heated chamber.

10. A machine as recited in claim 5 wherein said gripper means comprises a pair of cooperating upper and lower gripper jaws and cam controlled means operative in timed relation tothe forward movement of said gripper means for opening and closing said gripper jaws to grip the material therebetween.

11. A machine as recited in claim 8 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a gripper member for grasping the web of material and wherein said plate member comprises a portion movable in a direction transverse to the movement of the material in timed relation to the movement of said gripper member for cooperation with said gripper member to advance the successive lengths of material over th surface of said plate member.

JOHN D. LINCOLN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,924,472 Thomson Aug. 29, 1933 2,366,130 Slavek Dec. 26, 1944 2,369,006 Banks Feb. 6, 1945 2,368,445 Brandt Jan. 30, 1945 2,428,979 May Oct. 14, 1947 

